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My Lord,

I have the honor to offer your Lordship my sincerest congratulations on the success of His Majesty's Arms, that have already secured at least the important point of good winter quarters for the Troops by the possession of the City of New York and this Island, which although very greatly exhausted by the depredations of the rebels, will yet contribute much to the support and comfort of the Fleet and Army, if the parts of the coast, most exposed, are timely protected against the New England People who have crossed the sound and made several descents on the North side of this Island,

for the purpose of driving off cattle, and seizing persons well affected to Government, since the Troops took posession of the western part of it.

It being manifest my Lord that my return to North Carolina, to lie on board ship can answer no sort of purpose and Lord Howe having seen it expedient to call away His Majesty's ships that are stationed at Cape Fear river rendering it impossible for me to resume that very irksome situation I remain here in readiness to take any part that may be assigned me, until further operations shall open a way to my wishes, and my particular duty to promote His Majesty's Service in that Province.

Since my arrival at this Place I have received my Lord, but not been able to find out through what channel, the original & duplicate of the Earl of Dartmouth's letter of the 8th of Novr last, signifying the King's Pleasure that I should inform His Majesty's Officers within the Government of N. Carolina that they were not expected by His Maj. to remain in their present stations at the hazard of their lives & properties, & that they therefore were at liberty to withdraw themselves from the Colony whenever their personal safety should make it necessary so to do. I should have been happy my Lord to have received this letter while it was possible for me to communicate it. For I am persuaded the assurance it gives of attention to the unfortunate circumstances of the servants of the Crown is a grace that would mitigate the sufferings of every other individual in the proportion it does my own.

The Transport ship on board which I left at Cape Fear the loyal refugees from the shore of North Carolina I expect my Lord will come here with the King's ships which are ordered from that Port, when I shall discharge her, & I presume, most of the refugees who for their good behaviour & encouragement, I have formed into Companies, and entitled to pay pursuant to the powers vested in me to levy Provincial Troops, will be ready to serve the King in such Corps as the Commander in Chief shall be pleased to consign them to

I have had the happiness to find my family in safety which, all circumstances considered, is better fortune than I could reasonably expect.

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